Does your cat freeze in winter?
Five signs you need to recognize it and act quickly
Created: 12/17/2022, 5:01 am
By: Anne Hund
The combination of cold and wet can be dangerous for cats.
Find out here what your pet needs in winter so that it gets enough warmth.
Temperatures are getting colder again.
If snow or rain is added to this, cats quickly start to freeze outdoors.
Cats do not tolerate wetness combined with the cold.
Pet owners should be careful in winter, otherwise the fur noses are at risk of catching a cold or even hypothermia - then quick action is required, which can even be life-saving.
In any case, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Does your cat freeze in winter?
Five signs you'll recognize it
If the cat is cold, you will notice that:
the cat trembles (according to experts, it does this when it is very cold).
her fur fluffs up.
she adopts a crouched posture.
she hides her paws under her fur.
she keeps her eyes closed.
Does your cat freeze in winter?
Make sure you have enough heat
Cats can freeze too.
In winter you need a warm retreat.
© MiS/Imago
If the cat freezes, you should make sure that it can warm up again quickly.
If their fur is wet, gently dry it with a cloth.
Also make sure that the cat can lie on a warm blanket or a cozy pillow and turn up the heating at home.
The first step in caring for your cat is a visit to the vet "to make sure it's just a cold and nothing worse," like that
Animal protection organization
"Four Paws"
also advises.
The experts explain in a message which symptoms you can use to tell that the cat has a cold.
This includes:
Does your cat freeze in winter?
Symptoms of a cat with a cold
Runny or stuffy nose
Sniffles
Sneeze
Cough
hoarseness
teary eyes
Fever
exhaustion
Increased need for rest and warmth
loss of appetite
Does your cat freeze in winter?
If you have cold symptoms, consult your veterinarian
If the cat has a cold, it needs a lot of rest and a cozy and warm environment as well as a lot of stroking.
"If your cat's nose is crusted or dirty, you can clean it gently, this will allow your cat to breathe better," advises
"Four Paws"
.
"Also remember to clean your eyes.
Use a clean cloth and warm water, but no soap.” A humidifier in the room can also be helpful.
Cats can freeze too.
In winter you need a warm retreat.
© MiS/Imago
If the cat has no appetite, you should make sure that it is still eating enough food.
"You can also mix some water into the food to ensure your pet doesn't become dehydrated," the experts say.
"The fluid intake also helps loosen the mucus in the back of the nose and throat."
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Cats with a cold can recover in a relatively short time, explains the animal protection organization.
However, the health of the animal should be “monitored carefully”: “If you don’t see any improvement within a few days, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
A persistent cold that is not treated properly can develop into pneumonia and otitis media.”
Does your cat freeze in winter?
Tips on how to take care of the animal
So that your cat doesn't get cold in the first place, you should take appropriate precautions: "In winter, it's advisable to offer the cats additional shelter," advises
"Four Paws"
with a view to the outdoor cats that also cope with sub-zero temperatures.
“It can be a cozy little spot in the shed or garage with many or thick blankets.
The walls can be insulated so that the room stays warmer and is windproof.” A cat flap is suitable for house tigers in winter, which they can use to spontaneously slip into the warmth after roaming around outside.
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Indoor cats are less used to the cold.
As a rough rule of thumb, the temperature in the apartment should not be below 18 degrees.
Depending on the animal and breed, however, cats freeze at different rates.
So make sure that the cat always finds a cozy place and leave the heating on when the animal is alone at home.
Kittens are particularly sensitive and should stay indoors when it's snowing and cold.
Attention: Kittens under the age of six months do not yet have a warm undercoat, which is why they quickly start to freeze outside.
That's why they're not allowed in the snow yet.
